Apparatus for and method of adhesively uniting shoe parts



July 6, 1937. F. HOLLAND 2,086,330

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF ADHESIVELY UNITING SHOE PARTS Filed Nov. 18, 1955 3 She'ets-Sheet l 20 25 j l 7e? 4.. 1g 11 2 9 WH /lg "l/ |l|1 fo o Zj j? 33 4?! 12 1 im 29 1 26 i um...

INVENTOR July 6, 1937. F, H LAND 2,086,330

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF ADHESIVELY UNITING SHOE PARTS Filed Nov. 18, 1933 3 Sheets$heet 2 a I "n Z y' VIN/W 55 i I IIHII" (yr I INVENTQR ATTORNEYS July 6, 1937. F. HOLLAND 2,086,330

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF ADHESIVELY UNITING SHOE PARTS Filed Nov. 18, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Patented July 6, 1937 UNITED STATES APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF ADHE- SIVELY UNITING SHOE PARTS Friedrich Holland, Wollaston, Mass, assignor to Compo Shoe Machinery Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application November 18, 1933, Serial No. 698,602

19 Claims.

This invention relates in general to the shoe manufacturing art, and has particular reference to an apparatus for and method of adhesively uniting shoe parts including such operations as uniting a heel to the heel receiving portionsof a shoe, and a covering material to the shank and heel-breast portions of the shoe.

It is'one object of this invention to provide means whereby pressure may be brought to bear against the parts to insure that the heel receiving portions of the shoe will be solidly united to the heelseat. For this purpose, the shoe is assembled with a suitable adhesive at the areas to be united, and the parts are then yieldingly pressed together, which permits the heel portion of the upper to adjust itself against the heel-seat in such manner that substantial and uniform pressure is brought against the entire areas to be united, thus effecting maximum adhesion of the parts, and insuring against heel separation.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of means for yieldingly pressing a heelbreast or shank flap into place, and wherein this feature may be available for use either separately or in combination with the heel-attaching features, whereby in a single operation, if desired, both the heel may be securely attached to the shoe and the shank covering material pressed into position.

It is also another object to eliminate gaps at the line of juncture of the heel and the body portion of the shoe.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a heel provided on its heel-seat portions with a dried adhesive which may be quickly dissolved by a suitable solvent, whereby the opera tion of assembling the heel and the upper per tions of the shoe is facilitated.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds, and will be set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section, showing a suitable apparatus for carrying out the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a detail of a heel holding abutment;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a holding element for the shank of a shoe;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a holding element for the rear portions of a shoe;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation partly in section incorporating means for pressing a heel and shank covering portions into place separately or in combination with the features for pressing the heel in p ace;

Fig. 7 is a view of a yielding presser for the shank and heel-breast adapted for operation by a fluid medium;

Fig. 8 is a view of a yielding presser composed of solid rubber;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the heel and rear portion of a shoe illustrating the absence of gaps or openings at the line of juncture of the heel and heel portions of the upper;

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus incorporating sole laying instrumentalities in combination with the heel attaching features of the invention;

Figure 11 is a fragmental detail of a shoe illustrating a socketed heel receiving portion; and

Figure 12 is a view partly in section illustrating a socket connection of a heel to a shoe.

Referring at first to Figure 1, the reference character In indicates a heel which is to be adhesively united to theheel receiving portion ll' of a shoe II. In order that this operation may be advantageously effected, to insure uniform and substantial pressure of the two parts together over the entire area at the line of adhesion.

l2, the heel I0, after assembling with the upper portion of the shoe preferably on a last, and with a suitable adhesive at the heel-seat, is held stationary against an abutment 13, preferably pivotally mounted as at M to an adjustable element such as the rack 15, which may be raised and lowered, for instance, by a pinion IE to bring the heel into a desired position within a frame I! prior to the application of yielding pressure to the body of the shoe in the direction of the heel. A series of such frames may be mounted on any suitable form of conveyor, press, or wheel, not shown, whereby a line of such lasted shoe assemblies moves from one station to another during the manufacturing operation.

Additional means may be provided for holding the heel so that it will not become displaced during the pressing operation. In the present example, this comprises an arcuate abutment or member l8 adapted to fit the shank of the shoe and which may be held and adjusted by suitable means, such as an adjustable lever l9 and connecting linkage 20 associated with the frame II.

There is also preferably provided an abutment 2| at the rear of the shoe assembly. This may comprise a rubber-backed pad 22 provided with slotted arms 23 held in adjusted position by means of wing nuts 24, and constituting holding and guiding means for the rear portions of the shoe assembly adjacent the line of juncture of the heel and the body portions. As a further holding means, the bottom of the heel may be held in a rubber or other suitable guide 25 carried by the abutment l3, and, in inserting the heel therein the pivot l4 permits adjustment so that the heel may be brought into proper position within the frame l1. After the shoe assembly has been placed in the apparatus as illustrated in Figure 1, a suitable fluid medium such as compressed air, or water is introduced into a bag 26 beneath the shoe through a suitable connection or port such as that illustrated at 21.

Preferably, the shoe is mounted on a last 26 of any suitable type, and pressure, when applied within the bag 26, acts directly against the last 28 to press the assembled shoe parts toward the abutment |3, thereby applying yielding pressure at the area of adhesion. The operation of holding the heel fixed while pressing and firmly yet rather springily supporting the upper thereagainst by means of an air-inflatable pad gives a highly satisfactory cemented heel joint. The parts are forced together under a cushioned pressure which can be very effectively applied in urging the upper into full cemented contact against the heel. The pressure bag 26 for carrying out this operation, may consist of rubber 29 or rubber-lined leather or other suitable material, and is preferably provided with one or more layers of wear-resisting material such as leather 30 for contact with the last. Any suitable form of mechanism may be used for controlling the application and release of pressure medium for the bag 26.

In some cases, it is desired to apply a shank and heel covering material or shank flap III in addition to uniting the heel to the body portion of the shoe. This operation may be carried out advantageously by the apparatus illustrated in Figure 6, wherein the heel of the shoe is held by an adjustable abutment 3| in a frame 32, similar to that described with reference to Figure 1. The back of the heel is held by an arcuate and preferably rubber-faced guide 33, preferably extending across the line of adhesion 33', and which is adjustable through the medium of a slotted connection 34 and wing nuts 34' to the frame 32.

In this form of apparatus, a pressure bag 35 of the type described in Figure 1, may likewise be used to apply yielding pressure of the heel portions of the upper against the heel-seat of the heel l0. For pressing a covering material such as a heel-breast flap l into position against the cemented shank and heel-breast portions of the shoe, there is provided a: presser 36 having a yielding rubber face 31 and provided at opposite sides with arms 38 and slides 33 arranged to be received on the forked arms 40 of a lever 4|, pivoted at 42, so that the rubber pressing face 31 may be adjusted inwardly or outwardly with respect to the arch of the shoe. The presser 36 may be in the form of an inflatable bag 36' solidly backed by a rigid element 31 pivotally connected at 38' to the adjustable arms 38, pressure medium being admitted and exhausted through a port 44. A suitable pawl and ratchet device indicated at 43 may be used for securing adjustment and holding the presser 36 during the subsequent application of pressure to the bag 35 to move the shoe body against the heel portion and to press the covering material into The presser 36 is then moved from its inactive dotted line position and adjusted into the arch of the shoe against the shank flap ID, the adjusting screws 45 connecting the arms 40 to the presser 36 being adjusted to secure proper positioning of the presser in the arch against the covering material Hi. Pressure is then admitted to the bag 35 and also to the bag 36' of the presser 36, whereby to press the shank and arch covering portions into place and to secure the body of the shoe to the heel. It is evident that the arch presser 36 may be used either separately or in cooperation with the heel pressing features. When the arch presser 36 is used separately, the bag 35 is inflated to hold the shoe against the abutment 3| and in this respect functions as a holding means in coperation with the guide 33. By thus applying yielding pressure to the parts to be joined, I have eliminated the formation of gaps or seams along the juncture of the heel and the heel portions of the upper and secured solid and lasting union of the parts, and at the same time obtained neatness as the result of the smooth unbroken contour at the heel portions of the shoe.

In Figure 10 I have illustrated an apparatus which is operable for securing a heel ||l in place or for laying a sole. This form of apparatus may include a frame designated 50 having an overhead support and an abutment 52 adjusted by a screw 53, and having a rockable connection as by a ball and socket joint 54. A fluid operated bag 55 is adapted to press the lasted shoe 56 in the direction of the abutment 52 as will be readily understood from the prior description of the otherfigures. The sole-laying feature of the Figure apparatus includes an arm 51 occupying the full line position when not in use, but swingable about a vertical pivot 58 to occupy the dotted line position to bring an arcuate abutment 58' into engagement against the upper portions of the shoe adjacent the vamp to hold the shoe while fluid pressure is admitted to the bag 55 to press the sole 59 against the upper part to which it is to be attached. The abutment may be provided with a protective facing 60. For pressing the shank flap into position, there is provided a contour element 6| swingably connectd to the support 5| as at 62. The element 6| may be of any desired type, for instance, of solid rubber or a rubber faced plate and preferably acts under spring pressure such as that indicated at 63 to press the shank flap 64 in place on the shoe 56. It is desirable that the spring 63 be inactive when the element 6| is in the elevated position shown in the drawings so that the flap 64 may be placed against the cemented portion of the shank without interference from the pressing element, which thereafter may be brought down into its active position in the shank.

In Figures 11 and 12 I have disclosed a form of heel construction in which the socket or opening which usually obtains at the heel portion of the upper between the opposite edges of the inturned lasting allowance is utilized in conjunction with a mating projection or land on the upper face of the heel to obtain a more solid connection in cooperation with the adhesive. According to this feature of the invention, a heel 10 is provided with a projection ll adapted to be received in an opening 12 which is defined laterally and rearwardly by the inturned edges of the upper lasting allowance materials 16, and forwardly by the rear edge of the outer sole H, the rearmost part of which is cut off so that it terminates as shown at 73. The heel 10 is cemented in place, the projection ll having access to and ending within the opening 12, the top thereof abutting the insole TI. The usual heel breast flap l continues beyond the cut oil. portion 13 of the outer sole and is cemented in place to the heel breast.

As a further feature of improvement, I provide heels, wooden or otherwise, with a dried adhesive at the heel-seat, the adhesive being of a nature such that it may be quickly dissolved by the application of a solvent. Any suitable adhesive may be used for this purpose, for example pyroxylin cement, but this preparation is given merely by way of example since the invention is not limited to any particular formula or preparation, other than that it shall have the desired adhesive properties and be quickly dissolved from the dried condition in which it is supplied as an integral part of the heels.

While I have described suitable apparatus for carrying out the invention in practice, it is to be,

understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but is capable of such other modifications andembodiments as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A heel attaching device, comprising in combination means for fixedly holding a heel to be adhesively united to a shoe body, and a fluid operated bag adapted to press the heel-receiving portions of said shoe body against an interposed adhesive at the heel-seat.

2. A heel attaching device, comprising in combination means for stationing a heel to be adhesively united to a shoe body, and air cushioned means for applying yielding pressure to the heelreceiving portions of said body against an interposed adhesive at the heel-seat.

3. An apparatus for uniting-a heel to the body of a shoe, comprising in combination means for engaging the base of the heel to hold it stationary, means for yieldingly pressing the body I of the shoe against an adhesive at the heel area to be united to the body, and a guide for the rear portions of the heel and shoe body.

4. An apparatus for adhesively uniting a heel to a shoe body, comprising means for engaging the bottom, the breast and the rear portions of the heel to hold it stationary, and a fluid operated bag arranged to press the body of the shoe against an adhesive at the seat portion of the heel to which it is to be united.

5. An apparatus for uniting a heel to a shoe body, comprising an abutment for the bottom of said heel, holding means for engaging the breast of the heel and the shank of the shoe, an abutment at the rear of the shoe, and means for applying air-cushioned pressure between the shoe body and heel.

6. An apparatus for adhesively uniting parts of a shoe, comprising the combination of means for holding a heel stationary, air cushioned means for pressing the body of the shoe yieldingly against an adhesive at the heel-seat, means for yieldingly pressing a covering part agains an adhesive at the shank and breast portions of the shoe.

'7. An apparatus for uniting a heel to a shoe body comprising in combination an abutment at the base of the heel, a guide for the rear of the heel, and means for pressing the body of the shoe yieldingly against an adhesive at the heelseat.

8. An apparatus for adhesively securing a heel to the body of a shoe and a shank and heel breast flap in place, comprising means for holding the heel in a stationary position, a fluid operated bag for applying pressure to the body of the shoe to press it against an adhesive at the heel-seat, and a fluid operated bag for pressing said shank and breast flap into place.

9. The method of uniting a heel to the heelreceiving portions of a shoe, which consists in assembling the parts on a last and with an adhesive at the heel-seat, holding the heel stationary, and pressing said heel-receiving portions against the heel-seat under air cushioned pressure.

10. The method of adhesively uniting a heel and a heel-breast and shank covering to a. shoe, which consists in holding the heel substantially stationary, yieldingly pressing the body of the shoe toward the heel under air cushioned pressure to press said heel receiving portions against an adhesive at the heel seat, and applying yielding pressure against said covering material to press it against an adhesive at the shank and heel-breast portions to be covered.

' 11. The method of adhesively uniting a heel to the heel-receiving portions of a shoe, which consists in assembling the heel and upper portions of a shoe with an adhesive between the heelseat and the upper portions to be united thereto, holding said heel stationary, supporting the shoe assembly adjacent the rear of the heel, supporting the heel-breast portion and the bottom of said shoe adjacent the shank, and then applying yielding pressure against the body of the shoe in the direction of the heel.

12. An apparatus for adhesively uniting a breast flap to the heel breast of a shoe, comprising holding means for supporting a shoe and its heel, an inflatable pad having a pressure diaphragm engageable against a breast flap to apply adhesive afiixing pressure between the latter and the breast of said heel, supporting means for said pad comprising an arm mounted for movement toward and from a shoe held by said holding means whereby said pad can be moved into and out of engagement with the breast flap of such shoe, and means for inflating and deflating said pad.

'13. An apparatus for adhesively uniting a breast flap to the heel breast of a shoe, comprising holding means engageable with a lasted shoe and its heel to clamp said parts therebetween, an inflatable pad having a rigid backing portion and a pressure diaphragm engageable against a breast flap to apply adhesive afiixing pressure between the latter and the breast of said heel, supporting means for said pad flexibly articulated with respect to said holding means for movement toward and from a shoe held thereby so that said pad can be moved into and out of engagement with the breast flap of such shoe, and means for inflating and deflating said pad.

14. An apparatus for cement heeling shoes comprising opposed means for holding a shoe and a heel therebetween, a pad for engaging the heelbreast flap of the shoe swingably mounted with respect to said supporting means, and means for applying air cushioned pressure to said shoe holding means and to said heel-breast flap pad.

15. A method of uniting ladies high heels adhesively to the heel seat of a ladys shoe, which comprises locating such a heel on the heel seat with adhesive therebetween, positioning such shoe and heel between a top lift abutment member and .a shoe support member, and applying air pressure to at least one of said members to force it toward the other.

16. An apparatus for cement heeling shoes comprising a base having a supporting member for a shoe,-a bow or column extending fixedly upwardly from said base and having an abutment member thereon for engaging against the top lift of the heel of a shoe located on said supporting member, and air pressure means associated with one of said members for imparting air cushioned pressure to a shoe and heel positioned therebetween.

17. An apparatus for cement heeling shoes comprising a base having a supporting member for a shoe, a bow or column extending fixedly above said base and having a heel abutment member for engaging against the top lift of the heel of a shoe located on said supporting member, a rear abutment carried by said fixed bow for engaging and holding the rear of such heel, and air pressure means urging relative approach of said heel abutment and shoe supporting members to impart air cushioned pressure to a shoe and heel positioned therebetween.

18. An apparatus for cementheeling shoes comprising a base having a supporting member for a shoe, a bow or column extending upwardly fromto a shoe and heel positioned therebetween.

19. A heel pressing device comprising, a base, a fluid containing pressure pad carried by said base, a frame extending above said base, a heel abutment member movably mounted on said frame for movement into engagement with the top lift of a heel located on the heel seat of a shoe supported by said pad, and means for increasing the pressure betweensaid abutment member and pad when a shoe and heel are clamped therebetween to impart cushioned cementing pressure to said heel.

FRIEDRICH HOLLAND. 

